NPR News Now: June 11, 2025, 12PM EDT
Hosted by NPR
1. President Trump's 250th Anniversary Celebration of the U.S. Army
Speaker: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [00:19]
President Donald Trump commemorated the 250th anniversary of the United States Army with a series of events, culminating in a grand parade in Washington, D.C., scheduled for Saturday. During yesterday's celebrations at Fort Bragg, President Trump delivered a speech that took a notably political turn.
Speaker: Tamara Keith
Timestamp: [00:44]
In his address before a large crowd of uniformed soldiers, President Trump criticized recent protests in Los Angeles, linking them to broader issues of uncontrolled migration. He stated:
Speaker: Donald Trump
Timestamp: [00:58]
"Generations of army heroes did not shed their blood on distant shores only to watch our country be destroyed by invasion and Third World lawlessness here at home like is happening in California. As commander in chief, I will not let that happen."
Trump further condemned the protesters for displaying Mexican flags and proposed legislative action:
Speaker: Donald Trump
Timestamp: [01:16]
"I want Congress to pass a law to put anyone who burns an American flag in prison for a year."
These remarks highlight Trump's ongoing stance on immigration and national security, framing recent civil unrest as a consequence of inadequate border control.
2. Unrest in Northern Ireland and Developments in Israeli-Hamas Ceasefire Talks
Speaker: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [01:29]
Northern Ireland is facing its second night of significant unrest. Hundreds of protesters in Bellamina have engaged in arson, torching homes and vehicles. The initial peaceful demonstration on Monday escalated following the appearance of two Romanian-speaking teenagers in court on allegations of sexual assault. Although the teens deny some of the charges, authorities are investigating the ensuing riots as potential racially motivated hate crimes.
Concurrently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced progress in ceasefire negotiations with Hamas amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. This development follows a recent phone call from President Trump urging Netanyahu to "wrap up the war in Gaza." An insider familiar with the discussions informed NPR's Hadil Al Shalchi:
Speaker: Hadil Al Shalchi
Timestamp: [02:12]
"This week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with senior Israeli officials to discuss next steps of a hostage deal. A person familiar with the matter who wasn't authorized to speak publicly told NPR that Hamas sent mediators a proposal which Israel is studying. According to Israeli media, eight hostages will be released alive on the first day of the agreement. On the last and 60th day of the first phase, two more will be released. The proposal includes three separate phases for the release of hostages who were defined as casualties. NPR has not verified those details. Ceasefire talks have been at an impasse since Israel resumed its war in Gaza in March."
This potential agreement marks a critical juncture in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with significant implications for regional stability.
3. Economic Update: Inflation and Tariffs
Speaker: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [02:54]
Contrary to widespread concerns, the latest data from the Labor Department indicates that President Trump's tariffs have not significantly accelerated inflation as feared. Consumer prices rose by 2.4% in May compared to the previous year. Additionally, the month-to-month increase in prices slowed by 0.1% from April to May, suggesting that inflationary pressures may be abating.
4. ABC News Suspends Anchor Terry Moran Over Controversial Social Media Posts
Speaker: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [02:54]
ABC News has decided not to renew the contract of anchor Terry Moran following his suspension over contentious social media activity. Moran faced backlash for posts critical of President Trump and a senior White House official, whom he described as "world class haters."
Speaker: David Folkenflick
Timestamp: [03:32]
In his reporting, David Folkenflick detailed the situation:
"ABC News suspended Moran Sunday for the social media post. By Tuesday, the network decided not to bring him back. Moran had said that Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller's hatreds are his spiritual nourishment, but argued that Trump's hatred was a means to an end his own glorification. Moran took down his post, but he has not repudiated it. In fact, he hasn't posted a new or responded to requests for comment. White House officials called for ABC to punish Moran, who conducted a much-praised interview of Trump just six weeks ago. Moran was highly regarded inside ABC and seen as judicious. He had been at the network 28 years."
Moran's departure underscores the increasing tensions between media professionals and political figures, highlighting the challenges of maintaining journalistic integrity in a polarized environment.
5. Social Media Star Khaby Lame's Departure from the United States
Speaker: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [04:10]
Khaby Lame, the Senegalese-Italian influencer renowned for his silent, comedic take on overcomplicated life hacks, has left the United States following detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Las Vegas. With a massive following exceeding 160 million on TikTok alone, Lame's departure comes after voluntarily exiting the country to evade a potential deportation order that could bar him from re-entry for up to a decade.
During the UAE-hosted Billion Follower Summit, Lame reflected on his content creation journey:
Speaker: Khaby Lame
Timestamp: [04:33]
"I just tried to put some light in this moment."
Lame's departure highlights the precarious situation faced by international influencers navigating U.S. immigration laws.
6. Stock Market Update
Speaker: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [04:37]
U.S. stock markets are performing positively this hour, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbing over 100 points. Investors appear optimistic amid the latest economic reports and ongoing political developments.
This summary provides an overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on June 11, 2025. For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full broadcast.